He points out that half of the cases in one box is the normal caseload for a six month grand jury session.

Twenty years later, more than 200 cases are on the docket for an upcoming grand jury session.

Houston knew the population was growing in Elmore County long before an updated census report, simply by his increased caseload.

"Elmore County is a target-rich environment," Houston said. "Most of our people are gone to work during the day and it makes for easy targets. As a result, we have a lot of criminal actions, and it keeps the sheriff's office and the police departments very busy."

Houston says it's a tough push for his three prosecutors to get ready for a grand jury with 203 cases, while managing their daily caseload.

As he points at the packed table Houston explains, "This is just circuit court files here. We have juvenile court, district court, we have child support courts. We have a myriad of other courts."

The heart of the issue is funding.

Houston was elected to office in 2001 with a $1.1 million budget. Nearly 14 years and a massive population spike later, his office is feeling the holes of a $1.4 million budget.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File). FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, actor Morgan Freeman attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala in New York. Freeman is apologizing to anyone who may have felt “uncomfortable or disrespected” by his behavior....

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>